Ernest Rhys

THIS is the play of plays. Come, boys,

Old men, and little girls, and see

The rogue outdone in roguery,

And hear his lovely dreadful noise!

There is a catch in Punch’s voice

When he escapes the gallows-tree,

That takes the heart outrageously

And makes the rascal street rejoice.

This is that antic play that made

The mummy laugh (when he had blood),

That shall outlive the tragedy

In time of war with sables played:

The beggar’s masque, and gamin’s mood;

The first, last laugh of comedy.